OSHA News Release – Region 7

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Bade Roofing Co. in St. Louis for
repeatedly exposing workers to fall hazards, among other safety violations

ST. LOUIS – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Bade Roofing Co. Inc. in St. Louis with nine alleged safety violations for repeatedly exposing workers to fall hazards during roofing operations, as well as other hazards. Proposed penalties total $56,210.

"Falls remain the number one killer of workers in the construction industry," said Charles E. Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "OSHA will not tolerate employers who place workers' lives at needless risk by repeatedly failing to provide and ensure the use of fall protection."

OSHA's inspection, which began in October 2010, resulted in the issuance of seven serious and two repeat citations.

Serious citations are associated with the misuse of portable ladders, a lack of portable firefighting equipment, improper storage of flammable and combustible liquids, and deficient fall protection and ladder training. OSHA issues a serious citation when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which an employer knew or should have known.

Repeat citations are similar to those issued on Aug. 9, 2010, against the same company. They address hazards associated with the lack of a fall protection system at a side or edge 6 feet above a lower level and the lack of a stairway or ladder at a point of access where there was a break in elevation of 19 inches or more. OSHA issues a repeat citation when an employer previously was cited for the same or a similar violation of any standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.

Detailed information on fall protection in construction and safe work practices in the construction industry, including an interactive e-Tool, is available online at http://www.osha.gov/doc/index.html.

Bade Roofing has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in St. Louis or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's St. Louis Area Office, which can be reached at 314-425-4249. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call the agency's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.

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